It’s not surprising that September is Skin Care Awareness Month as many of us may have got too much sun exposure during the long summer months.
In fact, a recent YouGov survey found that 40% of Brits only buy SPF when they go abroad, even though the official advice is that the sun’s rays can be strong enough to burn in the UK from April to September.
How the sun damages your skin
Two primary types of UV rays contribute to sun damage: UVA and UVB rays. The ozone layer does not block UVA rays, allowing about 95% of them to reach the Earth’s surface. These rays penetrate the skin deeply, leading to premature ageing and contributing to some skin cancers, as well as giving us a tan.
UVB rays, on the other hand, directly damage DNA, leading to sunburn and are the main cause of most skin cancers.
5 signs of sun damage
1. A tan
While a golden tan is often seen as a sign of good health, it actually indicates skin damage. UV radiation harms the cells in the upper layer of your skin, prompting the body to produce more melanin, the pigment that absorbs UV rays. This increase in melanin production leads to the skin becoming darker.
Karidis Clinic treatment options: Cumulative sun damage begins with your very first tan during childhood. However, even if you are showing signs of significant sun damage, it’s never too late to start using a high-factor SPF to protect your skin from further damage.
2. Fine lines and wrinkles
Photoageing is ageing caused by sun damage and it’s responsible for 90% of premature skin ageing. The UV rays accelerate the destruction of collagen and elastin which keep our skin looking plump and firm. As levels decrease, fine lines and wrinkles appear – and why they are first to form on areas which are more exposed such as the face or chest.
Karidis Clinic treatment options: We have many treatments to address photoageing and often a combined approach is required for optimal results. Anti-wrinkle injections remain the gold standard treatment for smoothing dynamic fine lines and wrinkles
3. Brown spots
Solar lentigines, commonly referred to as brown spots or sunspots, are flat, brown or black spots that appear on skin frequently exposed to the sun. In response to UV radiation, the body increases melanin production to protect the skin, sometimes causing these pigment cells to cluster together and form a sunspot.
These spots are also called age spots because, as we get older, the skin’s natural healing ability decreases, making dark spots more likely to form with age.
Karidis Clinic treatment options: “Arbutin a key ingredient in Obagi Clear Fx and Vitamin C in Obagi’s Professional C Serums, and both are powerful tyrosinase inhibitors,” recommends our Aesthetic Doctor Emily Strong. “These ingredients work together to suppress melanin production, fading dark spots and unveiling a clearer, more radiant complexion.”
4. Rough, uneven skin
There are many factors that result in poor skin texture. Smoking, diet, stress, and even pollution can influence skin quality, but sun exposure is the most damaging. Collagen is key to younger-looking skin and UVA rays penetrate deep in the dermis, damaging collagen fibres by causing oxidative stress in skin cells.
Karidis Clinic treatment options: Profhilo is a skin booster and an effective treatment for improving skin texture and tone on the face, neck and décolletage. It contains a very high concentration of hyaluronic acid, which stimulates the production of collagen.
5. Spider veins
Some people may want to tan because they think it hides spider veins on the face or legs, but these ‘broken’ veins are a sign of sun damage. UV radiation destroys the protective layer of tiny veins just under the surface of the skin, known as telangiectasias, causing them to expand and become more visible. Additionally, sun exposure breaks down collagen, which thins the skin and makes these veins even more noticeable.
Karidis Clinic treatment options: VBeam is a safe and effective method to eliminate spider veins. A gentle but intense burst of light is attracted to the pigment in the veins, destroying them without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Dr Emily believes VBeam is a versatile and effective treatment for sun-damaged skin: “I am excited to now be offering VBeam treatments to my patients. This gold standard treatment is highly effective for a wide range of skin concerns, including spider veins, rosacea and facial flushing.”
For more advice on how best to treat signs of sun damage, call 0207 432 8727 or email enquiries@karidis.co.uk to arrange a consultation with Dr Emily.
